Marking 100 Years Since Kano’s First Aircraft Landing: A Call to Reposition Nigeria’s Aviation Sector

As Nigeria commemorates a century since the first aircraft touched down in Kano, aviation experts and stakeholders are reflecting on the nation’s journey and calling for renewed commitment to reposition the aviation industry for the future.

The milestone marks 100 years since November 1, 1925, when a British Royal Air Force De Havilland DH9A aircraft landed in Kano, making it the first recorded flight in Nigeria’s history. The aircraft first touched down at the old Kano Aerodrome, now the Kano Polo Ground, in what was then a colonial military operation to manage civil unrest.

That historic landing laid the groundwork for Nigeria’s aviation development, leading to the establishment of early airstrips in Kano, Maiduguri, and Lagos. These routes later expanded with the emergence of British Imperial Airways in 1936, which operated regular flights across West Africa and London. By 1946, the British colonial government had created the West Africa Air Transport Authority (WAATA), setting the stage for modern air travel across the region.

Following independence in 1960, Nigeria’s aviation sector took on a new direction under the leadership of Chief Mbazuluike Amaechi, the country’s first Minister of Aviation, and Dr. Shettima Ali-Monguno, one of the nation’s aviation pioneers. Their early efforts helped define policies that sustained Nigeria’s air transport growth for decades.

Today, as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and other industry players mark this historic centenary from October 30 to November 1, 2025, attention has shifted toward reform and modernization. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda has introduced several reforms aimed at revitalizing the aviation sector, including the rehabilitation of all 27 airports under FAAN’s management and the establishment of Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities across major airports.

Observers believe these initiatives could position Nigeria as a regional aviation hub for West and Central Africa, reducing dependence on foreign maintenance services and saving millions in foreign exchange. The creation of local MRO facilities is also expected to generate employment for skilled professionals and enhance the nation’s technical self-reliance.

Key figures driving this transformation include Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo (SAN), FAAN Managing Director Olubunmi Kuku, and FAAN Board Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. Their collective mandate is to ensure that Nigerian airports meet international standards in safety, infrastructure, and service delivery.

Ganduje’s appointment, in particular, is seen as timely, as he brings decades of administrative and technical experience to FAAN’s leadership. Under his chairmanship, the authority is expected to upgrade airport facilities nationwide and strengthen partnerships through public-private collaboration.

As Nigeria celebrates 100 years of aviation history, stakeholders agree that the anniversary offers not just a time for reflection but a renewed call for action. The nation must leverage its historical advantage, strategic location, and human capacity to build a globally competitive aviation ecosystem.

If successfully implemented, these reforms could leave a lasting legacy for President Tinubu’s administration cementing Nigeria’s place as the aviation powerhouse of Africa.